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LET’S BRUNCH!
BRUNCH - THE PERFECT WEEKEND INDULGENCE!
Brunch has evolved from a simple weekend feast to a full-blown culinary experience. It’s a social event, a chance to gather with friends, and a perfect excuse for a mid-morning drink.
From trendy cafes to bustling restaurants, the brunch scene is alive with creativity. Imagine innovative dishes that blend traditional recipes with modern twists and are all served with laughter.
Brunch originated in the UK in the 1890s and was popularized as a meal for late risers after Saturday night parties, combining breakfast and lunch. So, the term “brunch,” itself a blend of “breakfast” and “lunch,” has become an international weekend phenomenon that we love!
Elevate your brunch game
Ah, brunch! That delightful meal that allows you to sleep in on weekends without missing out on the best of breakfast and lunch. Whether you’re sipping mimosas or munching on fluffy pancakes, brunch feels like a cozy hug in the form of food. Now, if you’re looking to elevate your brunch game, why not take inspiration from the French? French brunch is a beautiful blend of elegance and simplicity, focusing on fresh, quality ingredients that make each bite a heavenly experience.
A french brunch - 8 steps to know how
Taking the lead where all roads lead to simple elegance is the consequential French Brunch, where sweet and savory awaits you with a rustic table, linen napkins, and fresh flowers!
Imagine French music as the backdrop, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Imagine a French Cafe, and bring it to the place you treasure most, your home. Where you laugh, cook, and delight in what you create in your kitchen, what others crave most from your heart as you cook and bake with know-how, passion, and love!
1. plan your menu - Classic french flavors
Now, if you’re looking to elevate your brunch game, why not take inspiration from the French? French brunch is a beautiful blend of elegance and simplicity, focusing on fresh, quality ingredients that make each bite a heavenly experience.
Classic French Dishes to Try – Choose Your Favorites, Know Your Recipes
- Croissants: Light, flaky, and buttery, these pastries are a brunch staple. A good croissant can transport you straight to a Parisian café.
- Quiche: This savory Quiche Lorraine custard pie, often filled with cheese, ham, or bacon, is perfect for brunch. Serve it warm, paired with a light salad, for a refreshing taste.
- Crêpes: Whether sweet or savory, crêpes are versatile and fun. Fill them with a chocolate spread and strawberries for a dessert-like treat, or go for ham and cheese for something heartier.
Get recipe here: https://boncook.com/recipes/oven-sheet-pan-crepes/ - Lemon Lavender Loaf Cake: This Lemon Lavender Loaf Cake screams Provence! Lavender is a member of the mint family and pairs well with sweet and savory dishes. Especially to its BFF lemon! This recipe makes six refreshing and delicious Lemon Lavender Loaf Cakes. Perfect for Brunch or an afternoon tea.
Get recipe here: https://boncook.com/recipes/lavender-lemon-loaf/ - Pain Perdu: Also known as French toast, this dish is made from stale bread soaked in eggs and milk, then fried until golden. Drizzle with maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar for the ultimate indulgence.
- Tartines: These open-faced sandwiches offer a variety of toppings, from avocado and smoked salmon to goat cheese and figs, making them a stylish and tasty choice.
- Clafoutis: The first sign of spring is my reminder to gather some fresh cherries or strawberries and make this French delight on a cool Sunday morning. My first introduction to this baked custard-like tart filled with fresh fruit was through one of my first French friends when I began my journey of becoming a partner with this new French company in the US, now BONCOOK! We will present this recipe later in the month, although if you cannot wait, try our recipe at: https://boncook.com/recipes/cherry-clafoutis/
2. Beverages to sip
No French brunch is complete without a selection of beverages.
Consider Serving:
- Café au Lait: A blend of strong coffee and steamed milk is the perfect pick-me-up for any brunch. I enjoy it every morning I visit in Paris!
- Mimosas: Sparkling wine mixed with fresh orange juice is a classic brunch cocktail that adds a touch of festivity. I love setting up a Mimosa Bar with varied juices and fresh fruits so everyone can build their own Mimosa.
- Infused water in glass pitchers: Infused water is always a welcome accompaniment to Mimosa or coffee! Try one or two with your favorite flavors. Stress not; these are beautiful and very simple to impress! Find infused water recipes here: https://boncook.com/recipes/flavor-infused-water-10-recipes/
- French Press Coffee: Rich and aromatic, this is a must-have for coffee lovers.
3. A table to set
Table Decor:
Opt for a simple, elegant table setting. Use white tablecloths, fresh flowers, and stylish dishware. If you are in need of a simple chic white table cover, I find the best at the fabric store, yes in a bolt of fabric. I have the fabric measured for my table and have a rough edge cut. This is both chic and re-useable. Because it is white it is easier to get clean whether it is stained after the event or not. Look for linen or cotton, shop the sales, share the knowledge!
Make A Gorgeous Bouquet:
Use the 3-5-7 Rule
The “three flowers, five greens, seven flowers” rule is a helpful guideline for creating balanced and visually appealing bouquets.
Here’s a breakdown of this rule:
- Begin with three main varieties of flowers as focal points. These can be a mix of larger and smaller blooms that draw the eye, your favorites!
- Incorporate five different types of greenery. Greens add texture, volume, and contrast to the bouquet, enhancing the flowers’ visual appeal.
- Add seven more small flowers to fill in the gaps and create a fuller look. These can be more delicate blooms that complement the focal flowers.
Note: This rule encourages variety and balance in bouquet design, making it easy for both beginners and experienced florists to create stunning arrangements. Of course, feel free to adjust the numbers based on your personal style and preferences! - For a single large bouquet that is super quick:
Instead of several, in this example I filled the vase with cherries, put the water in and arranged my flowers in layers. First the rosesand then a spray of coordinating flowers to the look and vibe I want to create. This was both simple and elegant, keeping with the French way!
Ambience: Soft lighting is key! Candles or fairy lights can create a cozy setting especially if it is a dark cloudy day or if Brunch extends into later hours.
BONTIP:
In design, odds are better than evens! In design odd numbers rule! Happy designing! Feel free to share your bouquet with BONCOOK at #boncook or #boncookLIFE
choose local seasonal flowers!
4. Prep in advance
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Pre-make Items:
Many French dishes, like quiche and crêpes, can be prepared in advance and simply reheated before serving.
Make what you can in advance and pre-prep everything else the night before so you are not stressing the day of your French Brunch.
One rule of thumb I have is to never leave the house on the day of a gathering. This helps me stay focused, relieves me from any additional stress and makes for a better event for me and my guests.
I start putting things together up to 7 days ahead and definitely 2 to 3 days ahead of time I have all the tablescape and settings together. A good rule of thumb is to use post-it notes to label any serving dishes so there isn’t any last minute stress in the crunch time. For food, cook or bake ahead if recipes permit. Remember quality, not quantity is most important! In our BONCOOK March 4th Taste The Trend Cooking Class Series, all of the recipes can be made ahead of time, and they are all French!
Register here: https://bit.ly/TASTETHETRENDCOOKINGSERIESMARCHBRUNCH
Set the Table Ahead: Set your table the night before to avoid last-minute rushing. Arrange flowers the night ahead and place on set table. This will allow the flowers to open overnight and enhance the beauty of your bouquet. For a small intimate brunch with very close friends, in this setting I created small bouquets for each place setting for my guests to take-a-log and enjoy at home. Roses are perfect for gifting, they stay fresh quite some time and are easy to find. Again, simple and elegant, keeping with the French way!
5. create a relaxed atmosphere - Music
Consider playing soft French music to enhance the atmosphere.
Allow Time for Eating and Socializing: Encourage guests to enjoy both the food and each other’s company.
Need some help with a list?
For a French brunch, the most used background music typically includes genres that evoke a relaxed, charming atmosphere.
Here are some popular options: Mine is Bossa!, What’s yours?
Choose the music that best suits your taste:
- French Chanson: Classic French songs from artists like Édith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, and Georges Brassens create a nostalgic vibe.
- Bossa Nova: The smooth rhythms of Bossa Nova blend beautifully with French styles, offering a laid-back feel.
- Jazz: Soft jazz, especially French jazz like that of Django Reinhardt, sets a sophisticated yet relaxed tone.
- Cafe Music: Acoustic guitar, accordion, and soft piano pieces often found in Parisian cafés provide an ideal backdrop.
- Instrumental Music: Light instrumental versions of French classics can add elegance without overpowering.
Creating your choice playlist incorporating these French styles will help set the perfect ambiance for your French Brunch
6. engage your guests: hands on experiences
Interactive Elements:
A Mimosa Bar is impressive and simple to create. Fresh Fruits with traditional juices along with two exotic juices keeps it interesting and fun!
Set up a simple crêpe station:
Guests can fill their crêpes or prepare a tartine bar with various spreads and toppings. It’s not a hotel setup where someone is continuously making crepes. Make your crepes ahead of time warm before setting out, and allow the fun to begin! See our one-pan oven crepe recipe here: https://boncook.com/recipes/oven-sheet-pan-crepes/
Encourage Conversations:
Share stories behind the dishes or travel experiences in France to ignite engaging discussions.
Over the top: Want to go that extra step
Create a flower station where guests can build a small Brunch bouquet to take home. Fresh flowers from your garden speak volumes, or you can pick your favorites from the farmer’s market and support local farms. I happened to have this cart, and a friend suggested using it for a flower cart for my daughter’s bridal shower. Why not do something similar for a small group of friends? Everyone raved about the fun it was creating their own bouquet, and seeing what others created was a delightful experience!
7. keep it simple
Do Not Over Complicate The Menu: Stick to a few well-executed dishes rather than trying to make everything from scratch.
Aim for quality over quantity; using high-quality ingredients will enhance the flavors of each dish. No time for baking more than a few items?
Create your own sweet board with all of your personal favorites!
Remember what is most important:
Enjoy the company of your friends and family. Do not stress too much about perfection; your guests will appreciate your effort, no matter what!
Everyone can find some tips and inspiration for hosting your BRUNCH:
Writing this BLOG today has inspired me to invite a group of friends for a beautiful French Brunch! How about you?
Our BON BLOG brings it all together:
Ease the planning process and Menu. Pick and choose how you’d like to present your brunch, working with items you have on hand. I’ve found that choosing a theme and then collecting items you have on hand works well at bringing a beautiful brunch together that exemplifies your personality and taste. Less is more. Prep and plan ahead, and be ready to enjoy yourself with your guests.
8. Know Your Recipes - March Brunch Series
Tuesdays - all month long - 8 PM EST
See BRUNCH recipes in action:
BONCOOK is LIVE: Teaching Brunch recipes all month-long beginning Tuesday, March 4th at 8 PM EST. Our line up is inspirational and motivating to get BRUNCH on the calendar with friends and family! The classes last for one hour and every class teaches at least three recipes and, all of the recipes in the French Brunch Class can be made ahead and warmed to serve.
Join our Virtual Taste the Trend Cooking Class Series on ZOOM!
Everyone is welcome, no fee for classes, join one or join all.
Register Here: https://bit.ly/TASTETHETRENDCOOKINGSERIESMARCHBRUNCH
March 4th : A French Brunch
March 11th: Brunch for Dinner
March 18th: Brunch with Friends:
March 25th: Brunch Bowls
With these tips, you will be well on your way to hosting a charming and memorable French Brunch. From delectable food to an inviting atmosphere, your guests are sure to leave with satisfied appetites and happy hearts. Enjoy cooking and baking from our BONCOOK kitchen to yours! Brunch with us all month long! Cheers to more home-cooked meals in 2025!
Cindy Juncaj, CEO and Partner, BONCOOK.
save the date - LIVE cooking classes - Tuesdays
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